The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking scientific information and comment from the public regarding a petition to revise the area of critical habitat designated for the endangered Cape Sable seaside sparrow of South Florida.
The petition filed with the Service by the Biodiversity Legal Foundation contends that the current 190,000 acres of critical habitat designated on August 11, 1977, for the sparrow is now inadequate. The petition asks that State-managed and privately-owned agricultural areas be removed from the critical habitat designation and Federal lands west of the Shark River Slough that were once occupied by the western sub-population of the sparrow be added to the designation.
After reviewing the information in the petition and other available information, the Service has determined that it should conduct a full review of the critical habitat designation to see if it requires revision. As part of this review, the Service is seeking additional data, comments, and suggestions from members of the public, concerned government agencies, the scientific community, industry, and other interested parties.
Under the Endangered Species Act, a critical habitat designation establishes a geographic area that is important for the conservation of a threatened or endangered species and may require special management considerations. A designation does not set up a preserve or refuge, nor does it affect the activities of citizens engaged in private activities on their land. However, Federal agencies must consult with the Service on activities they undertake, permit or fund that might affect critical habitat.
The Service published its finding in the July 10, 2000, Federal Register. Information should be submitted by September 10, 2000, to the Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, South Florida Field Office, 1360 U.S. Hwy 1, Suite 5, Vero Beach, Florida 32961. The Service will issue a 12-month finding after it has considered all additional information submitted.
The Cape Sable seaside sparrow is a medium-sized sparrow, approximately 5
